On Aug. 3, retired Captain Gerald Lloyd Peterson, U.S. Navy, passed on to his eternal life. He is survived by his wife Carol; two daughters Nancy Jo Lange and Julie Lyn Daniels; two grandsons; and a brother Bob Peterson. Captain Peterson was commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1614, and also a member of the American Legion Post 288 in La Crescenta.

Captain Peterson was born on April 10, 1935 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. In March 1955 he graduated from Hoover High School in Glendale. In July 1955, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in March 1959 at which time he was assigned to the USS Gregory, a destroyer escort, until March 1961.

In April 1961, he entered basic training at the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut. His first sub assignment was the USS Bream from September 1961 to June 1964.  Then he was transferred to the submarine USS McKeon until June 1974. From July 1974 until February 1977 he was assigned to Pearl Harbor Submarine Base in Hawaii. In June 1989 he retired from the U.S. Navy.

On Aug. 9 he was interred at Riverside National Cemetery with full honors. He was a true gentleman, a gift to our country and community.

Andy Gero is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 288 and VFW Post 1614. He may be reached through the CV Weekly, (818) 248-2740 or write Crescenta Valley Weekly at 3800 La Crescenta Ave., Suite 101, La Crescenta 91214.